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This week prime minister David Cameron has hinted that the Conservatives will push for a new runway at Heathrow airport.
When questioned in the Commons, the prime minister said: "We must not be blind to two important considerations: how we expand airport capacity overall and how we ensure Heathrow operates better."
While satisfying the business lobby, his comments are likely to concern environmental campaigners and locals living near the airport.
Thus far, the subject of airport expansion in the south has proved hugely controversial, with opinion divided even among members of the same political parties.
For instance, Conservative Boris Johnson, the current mayor of London, is championing his vision for a 'Boris Island' Thames Estuary airport, but this has been dismissed by Kent County Council leader Paul Carter as an "horrendous" idea.
Other options include expanding other less busy airports such as Standsted or even utilising the forthcoming high speed rail network to ferry travellers into the capital from the Midlands.
Author: Editor Gavin Pearson (gpearson@acenet.co.uk or 0207 202 0255)
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